FIFA training compensation
Training compensation (FIFA RSTP Article 20 / Annexe 4) is a payment to clubs that trained a player when he first registers as a professional, and on each international transfer as a professional up to the end of the calendar year of his 23rd birthday.
When it is due
- First registration as a professional
- Each international transfer of a professional, until the end of the calendar year of the 23rd birthday
When it is not due
- Former club terminated without just cause
- Player terminated with just cause
- New club is category IV (amount is zero)
- Professional reacquires amateur status on transfer
Who is entitled
Clubs that trained the player between the calendar year of the 12th birthday and the calendar year of the 21st birthday. On first professional registration, only clubs in a different Member Association from the new club are entitled under FIFA rules.
How the rate is chosen
- Ages 12–15 (calendar years of those birthdays): category IV of the new club's confederation
- Ages 16–21: the new club's actual category cost
- Pro rata to the nearest day
EU/EEA
Between different EU/EEA Member Associations: lower→higher category uses the average of both clubs' costs; higher→lower uses the lower club's costs. UEFA amounts are in EUR; other confederations in USD — never mixed in one sum.
Women's football
The training compensation principles do not currently apply to women's football. A framework was approved by the FIFA Council on 17 December 2023 but is not in force.
UEFA training costs as of 2026
Training costs and categorisation of clubs as of 2026 (FIFA). Source: FIFA TMS support.
| Category | Annual cost | Effective from |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | EUR 90,000 | 2026-01-01 |
| Category 2 | EUR 60,000 | 2026-01-01 |
| Category 3 | EUR 30,000 | 2026-01-01 |
| Category 4 | EUR 10,000 | 2026-01-01 |
All confederations
Open the free calculator · Solidarity mechanism (5%) · Academy training rewards
Common questions
How is training compensation calculated?
Training compensation equals the new club's training costs multiplied by the time the player spent at each entitled former club, pro rata to the nearest day. Calendar years of the 12th–15th birthdays use category IV of the new club's confederation; calendar years of the 16th–21st birthdays use the new club's actual category. EU/EEA transfers between different Member Associations use average or lower-club costs under Annexe 4.
Who is entitled to training compensation?
Clubs that trained the player between the calendar year of their 12th birthday and the calendar year of their 21st birthday. On first professional registration, only clubs affiliated to a different Member Association from the new club are entitled under FIFA rules; same-MA clubs depend on national rules.
Does training compensation apply to women's football?
No. The training compensation principles do not currently apply to women's football. A governing framework was approved by the FIFA Council on 17 December 2023 but is not in force. FIFA continues to consult stakeholders.
When is training compensation not due?
It is not due if the former club terminated without just cause, the player terminated with just cause, the new club is category IV, a professional reacquires amateur status on transfer, or the event falls after the end of the calendar year of the player's 23rd birthday.
What is the difference between training compensation and the solidarity mechanism?
Training compensation is a separate payment based on published training costs when a player first turns professional or transfers internationally before the end of the year of their 23rd birthday. The solidarity mechanism distributes 5% of a paid transfer fee across clubs that trained the player between ages 12 and 23. Different trigger, different maths.